Key-action for type-writing machines



(No Model.)

W. P. KIDDER, KEY ACTION FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

No. 585,766. Patented July 6, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VELLINGTON P. KIDDER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

KEY-ACTION FORTYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 585,766, dated July 6, 1897. Application filed October 16, 1895. Serial No. 565,860- (No model.)

To all whom itJTI/LU/ concern.-

Be it known that I, WELLINGTON P. K11)- DER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Key-Actions for Type- Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are side elevations of my new key-action, Fig. 1 showing the impressionkey and type-carrier in position of rest and Fig. 2 showing the impression-key in its lowest position with the t-ype-carrier at the platen.

The object of my invention is to produce a type-writing machine in which the resistance offered to the finger when the type -Writer strikes the platen is minimized.

My invention is applicable in many different kinds of machines, but is shown in form adapted for use in the well-known Wellington type-writer.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred form of my invention, A is the platen; B, the

type-carrier, containing in this instance aplurality of characters I). The type-bar is moved forward and back by a swinging arm D, which is connected by a link D to the free end of the impression-key D Swinging arm D has an arm cl, which cooperates with a spring-controlled oscillating support F, the spring being indicated at f. Suitable guides G G are provided for supporting the typecarrier in proper relation to the platen and for guiding the character-bearing end of the type-bar at the moment of impression.

It will be seen that when the impressionkey is depressed to throw the type-carrier to the platen the tension of the spring f is gradually increased, and that when impression movement is made there is so much resistance to the forward stroke of the type-carrier that a very delicate touch is obtained. Delicacy of touch is a recognized desideratum in type-writing machines. The link D above referred to is pivoted at d" to the rocking arm D and at d to the impression-key D while the rocking arm D is pivoted at d As the type-carrier comes to impression-point the pivots or centers (1, C1 and d are in line,

and they are brought in to this position against the increasing tension of spring f, so that prior to impression the actuating force exerted on the impression-key is gradually resisted more and more by the increasing tension of the spring and the type-carrier brought to actual impression with marked delicacy of touch because of the now very considerable tension of spring f and of the fact that substantially at the instant of impression the impression-key D link D, and working arm D are on dead-centers, (pivots cl, C1 and d being in line,) and the tendency of the type-bar to move forward is gently checked by these cooperating conditions, the resistance of the spring now at its maximum and the tendency of the jointed parts D D, D, and B to come to rest because of the pivots d, 01 and d -being on dead-centers.

The construction above illustrated and described may be modified and altered in many details without departure from my invention.

WhatI claim is- The combination of a type-carrier, an impression-key; a rocker-arm engaging the typecarrier; a link pivotally connected to the in ner end portion of the impression-key and to that end of the rocker-arm which engages the type-carrier; and a spring mounted to cooperate with the rocker-arm and to resist its forward stroke with an increasing tension; the pivots of the rocker-arm and impressionkey connections with the link being in line when the type-carrier is at impression.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 10th day of October, A. D. 1895.

WELLINGTON P. KIDDER.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM A. COPELAND, E. S. BEACH. 

